Chapter 16: 1-2
Laws Pertaining to Shema
1.The laws pertaining to interruptions during the recitation of the Shema
and the three blessings associated with it - i.e., Yotzer or, Ahavoh
rabboh, and Emess v'yatziv - are more stringent than those concerning
P'sukei D'zimroh. (Similar laws apply to the recitation of Shema and its
blessings in the evening service.)
This block of prayers is separated in sections; the divisions are:
* between the concluding blessing yotzer ham'oros, and Ahavoh rabboh;
* between the concluding blessing habocher b'amo Yisroel b'ahavoh, and
Shema Yisroel;*
* between uvish'orecho and V'hoyoh im shomo'a':
between al ho'oretz and Vayomer.**
* {Since yotzer or and Ahavoh rabboh are described as the blessings of the
Shema, some authorities forbid making an interruption between the
conclusion of those blessings, habocher b'amo Yisroel b'ahavoh, and Shema
Yisroel; just as one is forbidden to make an interruption between the
blessing for other mitzvos and fulfillment of the mitzvah.}
** {An interruption cannot be made between the conclusion of the paragraph
of Vayomer and the beginning of the following blessing Emess v'yatziv, in
order that we read the phrase Ado-noi Elo-hechem emess, "G-d, Your Lord, is
true," in one continuum, as explained in Law 5.}
2. At these dividing points, it is permitted to respond "Amen" to any
blessing one hears.* Surely, one may respond to Kedushoh, Kaddish, and
Borchu. However, one should not recite Boruch Hu uvoruch shemo.
* {The Chayei Odom and the Shulchon Oruch HoRav 66:5 forbid reciting "Amen"
to any blessing with the exception of ho'El haKodosh, shome'a tefilloh, the
blessings recited when called to the Torah, and the blessing which one has
just recited - e.g., a person who concludes yotzer ham'oros may answer
"Amen" if he hears a colleague conclude the same blessing.}
Similarly, if one hears the congregation reciting the Shema, one should not
recite the verse Shema Yisroel together with them. Rather, one should lift
one's voice while reciting one's own prayers in a manner resembling the
congregation's recitation of the Shema to appear as if reciting it together
with them.
